The Erattupetta Munsif Magistrate Court denied PC George’s bail plea, leading to his remand in judicial custody. The BJP leader faced legal action over an alleged hate speech that sparked controversy. The court rejected his request for relief, citing the seriousness of the charges. His detention marks another high-profile case involving political figures and inflammatory remarks.
Kottayam: A court in this district remanded BJP leader PC George to judicial custody on Monday in connection with a hate speech case, following his police custody until 6 PM the same day.
The Erattupetta Munsif Magistrate Court denied PC George’s bail application earlier in the day. According to police sources, senior officials interrogated Mr. George before he was taken to jail.
The former MLA surrendered to the Erattupetta Munsif Magistrate Court around 11:05 AM. The case was reviewed at 12:30 PM, followed by arguments from both parties. After considering the submissions, the court adjourned the proceedings until 2 PM.
Mr. George’s lawyer contended that he did not “incite religious hatred or hurt religious sentiments,” arguing that custodial interrogation and evidence collection were unnecessary. In contrast, the prosecution highlighted Mr. George’s prior cases, claiming he had breached bail conditions and warranted questioning in custody.
They asserted that his remarks were made in a way that hurt “religious sentiments.”
Upon resuming the case after 2 PM, the court rejected Mr. George’s bail application, as confirmed by the complainant’s lawyer. Subsequently, he was taken to Kottayam Government Medical College for a medical examination.
Mr. George surrendered after police arrived to detain him, following the Kerala High Court’s dismissal of his anticipatory bail plea. On Saturday, he had requested an extension until February 24 to appear before the police for investigation related to the hate speech allegations.
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The High Court rejected his petition, stating that granting bail in such a case would send a negative message to society. Mr. George is accused of delivering hate speech against a minority community during a discussion on a TV channel.
He approached the High Court after the Kottayam Sessions Court denied his anticipatory bail plea, which was based on a complaint by Muhamed Shihab, a leader of the Muslim Youth League, who claimed that Mr. George’s remarks could “incite religious hatred.”
The High Court dismissed his petition, stating that granting bail in such a matter would convey the wrong message to society. George, a former MLA, is accused of making inflammatory remarks against a minority community during a discussion on a TV channel.
After the Kottayam District Sessions Court denied his anticipatory bail request, he approached the High Court. The case initiated by Muhamed Shihab, a leader of the Muslim Youth League, who claimed that George’s comments could incite religious hatred.
He has been charged under Sections 196(1)(a) and 299 of the Indian Penal Code, as well as Section 120(o) of the Kerala Police Act.
BJP leader P.C. George surrendered before the Erattupetta court in Kerala after the Kerala High Court rejected his anticipatory bail plea in a hate speech case. The case stems from remarks he made on January 5, 2025, during a television discussion, where he allegedly labeled all Muslims in India as terrorists and communalists.
A complaint filed by Muslim Youth League leader Muhamed Shihab, leading to a police case under Sections 196(1)(a) and 299 of the BNS, along with Section 120(o) of the Kerala Police Act. The Kerala High Court denied his bail, citing previous violations of bail conditions in similar cases, and stressed that granting bail would set a wrong precedent.
Following this, George surrendered before the court. BJP workers have protested the move, with party leaders stating that George’s surrender is a form of political protest. He has been embroiled in multiple controversies, including past derogatory comments against women and communal remarks, for which he was arrested in 2022 but later granted bail.
This case highlights ongoing concerns over hate speech and communal harmony in India, with the judiciary playing a crucial role in addressing such sensitive matters.
Case Title : PC George v. State of Kerala
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